Every 22 minutes a suspected stroke patient makes their own way to A&E instead of by ambulance, warns the Stroke Association

Thousands of people with symptoms of stroke are making their own way to A&E instead of calling 999 and waiting for an ambulance - which could be putting their lives at risk, warns the Stroke Association.

240 people wake up to the impact of a stroke every day in the UK. The latest annual figures from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP)1 for April 2024 – March 2025 reveal more than a quarter (26.8%) of stroke patients – 23,491 people in total – across England, Wales and Northern Ireland didn’t arrive by ambulance. This is around one person every 22 minutes – the highest number since SSNAP began in 2013/14.2

As stroke is always a medical emergency, the Stroke Association is encouraging anyone with stroke symptoms to call 999 rather than making their own way to A&E. It is the fastest way to get specialist stroke treatments, as paramedics can ensure they go to the best location for specialist stroke care, which isn’t available at all hospitals. This includes treatments such as thrombectomy, which removes the blood clot causing the stroke, being fast tracked for assessment and a diagnostic brain scan which can be requested ahead of ambulance arrival, and being admitted to an acute stroke unit, which is proven to benefit survival rates and recovery for stroke patients.

1.9 million brain cells die every minute after a stroke hits. So, timely treatment is essential to increase the chances of survival and minimise the risk of brain damage which can leave stroke survivors unable to move, see, speak, or even swallow.

In July, the average ambulance response time3 for category 2 emergency calls, which include stroke, was 28 minutes and 40 seconds, which is within the current 30-minute target as set out in the recent NHS Urgent and Emergency Care Plan4. This stood at 35 minutes and 39 seconds in January, 31 minutes and 23 seconds in February and 28 minutes and 33 seconds in March.

Additionally, handover time – how long a patient waits in an ambulance before being taken into hospital - has also significantly longer than the 15-minute target. July’s average was 25 minutes and 39 seconds with 63% of handovers taking more than 15 minutes. This figure has, however, been decreasing in recent months – it stood at 30 minutes and 56 seconds last July.

The Stroke Association hopes that initiatives rolled out following the 10 Year Health Plan, such as cardiovascular disease prevention and the development of neighbourhood health teams - which will move many procedures out of hospital into the community - will help reduce pressure on Emergency Departments and improve access to specialist stroke units in the long term.

Professor Deb Lowe, Medical Director of the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke is a medical emergency so anyone who is experiencing symptoms should call 999 and wait for an ambulance. We have long supported the NHS’ FAST campaign which highlights the most common symptoms of stroke – facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech – as that’s when it is time to call 999. Even with the undeniable pressures the NHS is experiencing, we stand firm on that advice as it is the best way to get rapid and evidence-based care.

“The UK’s population is ageing rapidly and we’re expecting the number of people having strokes every year to rise by 50% to 151,000 by 2035. It is vital each and every person affected by stroke gets the treatment they need as quickly as possible.

“We do understand people’s concerns about long ambulance waits but, in most cases, it’s still the fastest and most efficient way to get the best treatment and care for stroke. This is especially pertinent when supported by technologies, such as prehospital video triage, which can help diagnose stroke on the road to a specialist stroke unit. Getting to the right place for rapid and effective treatment can make the difference between a stroke patient walking out of hospital or leaving in a wheelchair.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information, contact: Jude Clay, PR Manager at the Stroke Association on 07834422040 or jude.clay@stroke.org.uk

References:

1. Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) is the nation’s biggest stroke data audit covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland. https://www.strokeaudit.org/

2. SSNAP annual data on patients not arriving by ambulance:

2019/20: 22%

2020/21: 19.4%

2021/22: 24.5%

2022/23: 24.7%

2023/24: 26.5%

Across England, an average of 23.6% of all stroke patients didn’t arrive by ambulance in January – March 2025, according to the latest SSNAP data. This increases to 51.9% in Wales and 45.3% in Northern Ireland.

3. In June, the England average was 29 minutes and 37 seconds and in May it was 27 minutes and 48 seconds. Ambulance Quality Indicators Data 2025-26 https://www.england.nhs.uk/sta... areas of England experienced longer average response times in July – the South-Central Ambulance Service had the longest average response time at 35 minutes and three seconds, followed by East of England and East Midlands Ambulance Services, both with an average of 32 minutes and 35 seconds.

4. Urgent and emergency care plan 2025/26 https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/